Chinatown is packed with legendary eats, so it can sometimes be hard to work your way through them all. If you’re struggling to decide, here are the best Chinatown food spots that are definitely worth a visit the next time you’re in the area.
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Poh Guan Cake House is a traditional bakery doling up handmade pastries since the 1930s. One of our favourites was the Yam Biscuit ($1.90), baked fresh to achieve that golden, flaky crust and creamy paste within. The most popular item, though, has got to be the tau sar piah available in Sweet Green Bean ($1.70) and Salty Green Bean ($1.70). Each piece crumbled upon being torn in half, and was packed with mung beans for the former, and fried shallots for the latter.
Read our Poh Guan Cake House feature.
Address: 531 Upper Cross Street, #01-57, Hong Lim Complex, 050531
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 7pm
Tel: 6534 0136
Poh Guan Cake House is not halal-certified.
Fans of hokkien mee would know of You Fu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle, a popular stall with loyal customers who return time and time again for their wok hei-infused noodles. Here, a plate of Hokkien mee is available in three different price points, at $5, $7, and $9, depending on the portion size. You can also add more ingredients to your liking, such as a Stir Fried Egg ($0.70) and more noodles for an extra $1.
Read our You Fu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle feature.
Address: 335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex, #02-186, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 8pm
You Fu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle is not halal-certified.
Calendar Coffee is a charming cafe only a two-minute walk from Maxwell MRT Station. Opened by the same team behind June Coffee, the cafe offers a range of unique drinks and brunch mains. One of their crowd favourites is the French toast series, with flavours including Apple Pie ($11++) and Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese ($14++).
Signature drinks include Roasted Rice Latte ($9++), Jasmine Apple Americano (8.50++), Miso Caramel Hojicha ($9++), and the popular Osmanthus Mochi Matcha ($9.50++): matcha, milk, osmanthus honey, and soft, slurpable milk mochi
Read our Calendar Coffee feature.
Address: 258 South Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 058807
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 6pm
Website
Calendar Coffee is not halal-certified.
Tucked away at Hong Lim Food Centre, Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee uses a three-generation-old family recipe that’s been constantly refined until today, resulting in a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more.
Their Curry Chicken Noodle ($7) is good comfort food, with their tasty broth accompanied by large pieces of chicken breast, making for a hearty combination. For those craving a larger portion, their $9.50 version has a bigger serving, together with the option to choose your favourite chicken parts too.
Read our Heng Kee Curry Chicken review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #01-58, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 510531
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am to 3:30pm
Website
Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee is not halal-certified.
With many accolades to its name, most notably the Michelin Bib Gourmand from 2016 to 2020, Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa is a popular spot among tourists and locals alike. Located at Hong Lim Food Centre, the stall offers two dishes: Fruit Juice Mee Siam ($6) and Asia Delight Laksa ($7). Both their noodle soups are rich and fragrant without being too jelak, and are topped with an impressive variety of ingredients.
Read our Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-66, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 3pm
Tel: 9750 8326
Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa is not halal-certified.
Hawker stall Tang Kay Kee‘s modern lunch concept at Hong Lim Food Centre serves up delicious rice bowls that are hearty yet affordable. An all-time favourite is their Pork Fried Rice (from $7), topped with Black Bean Paste ($1) and Additional Veg ($1). There are noodle dishes as well, such as the Kong Style Stir Fry Noodles (from $8.50) and Hor Fun (from $6), made with a mix of ingredients, including fish, prawns, pork slices, and pig liver.
Read our Tang Kay Kee review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #01-70, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Mon 11am to 3pm, Tue-Fri 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9:30pm, Sat 5pm to 9:30pm, Sun 4:30pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 8157 2641
Website
Tang Kay Kee Fish Head Bee Hoon is not halal-certified.
Those who frequent Hong Lim Food Centre would be familiar with Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee, a Michelin-approved stall that’s been around for more than 50 years. Get the only item on the menu, the Curry Chicken Mee ($7/$8/$9), starring your choice of noodles with tender poached chicken slices, doused in a rich and creamy curry gravy. The zhup is spicy enough, but if you want more kick, mix in some of their house-made shrimp and garlic chilli for extra oomph.
Read our Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-58/59, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 9pm
Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee is not halal-certified.
Head to Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls at Chinatown Complex for restaurant-quality rippled chee cheong fun. Go for the Plain ($3.20), which comes drizzled with soya sauce and topped with toasted white sesame seeds, crispy shallots, and shallot oil. For a more filling meal, also order the Lean Meat and Century Eggs Congee ($5) or Watercress and Fish Congee ($6.50).
Read our Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls review.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-096, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 6:30am to 12pm
Website
Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls is not halal-certified.
If you’re craving Western cuisine, head on down to Eddy’s, where Chef Eddy offers the best Western-Asian fusion food in Chinatown with a hawker-style setting. The Duck Confit ($13) is a dish that is not commonly seen at a hawker stall. The tender duck has a mild, salty-spicy flavour, and is paired with your choice of either aglio olio or mashed potato. Alternatively, get the Mala Shrimp Spaghetti ($11), which features a blend of salty and spicy mala flavours, and a hint of Sichuan peppercorn for a numbing sensation.
Read our Eddy’s review.
Address: 538 Upper Cross Street, #02-13, Hong Lim Food Centre, Singapore 050538
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 2pm
Website
Eddy’s is not halal-certified.
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice is famed for its freshly prepared Chinese claypot rice, cooked immediately upon ordering. There are three types of claypot rice to choose from here: Mixed Rice, Sausage Rice, and Chicken Rice ($8/$10/$12/$15/$20). Each comes as a medley of ingredients blessed with the distinctive wok hei of the charcoal fire. The highlight is the rice that crisps up into crunchy bits at the bottom of the pot, which adds a nice textural contrast to the dish!
Read our Lian He Ben Ji review.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-197/198, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 3pm to 9pm
Tel: 6227 2470
Lian He Ben Ji is not halal-certified.
Whampoa Soya Bean at Chinatown Complex serves good ol’ tau huay to keep you cool in Singapore’s hot weather. They have affordable tau huay and grass jelly desserts with toppings, all priced under $3. The Red Bean Beancurd ($2.20) comes with a generous amount of housemade tau huay and orh nee. If you’re a fan of grass jelly, try their Longan Grass Jelly ($2.20) or Attap Seed Grass Jelly ($2.20).
Read our Whampoa Soya Bean review.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-14, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10am to 2pm
Whampoa Soya Bean is not halal-certified.
Pretty Good Muffins, a bakery located at Hong Lim Complex, went viral for their wallet-friendly matcha and delicious muffins. Their Matcha Latte ($5) not only costs half of what you pay at most cafes despite using premium Niko Neko matcha, but is also pretty good too!
As for their muffins, pick from flavours such as Chocolate Chip ($1.50), Kaya ($1.60), Nutella and Sea Salt ($1.80), and Biscoff ($1.90).
Read our Pretty Good Muffins feature.
Address: 531 Upper Cross Street, #02-57B, Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 050531
Opening hours: Wed-Sat 11am to 3:30pm
Website
Pretty Good Muffins is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
You can get a delicious and cost-friendly Taiwanese breakfast spread at 1030 Breakfast Shop, located at Chinatown Complex. We tried several items here, but the ones we can strongly vouch for are their Taiwanese-style toasts, which are all priced at just $2! There are three options: Black Sesame Toast, Chocolate Toast, and Kaya Butter Toast. If you want to stray away from the typical kaya toast, try their Black Sesame Toast, which features a creamy and nutty black sesame paste.
If bread is not enough to fill you up, there’s also the Braised Pork Rice, which is also priced at $2! Complete your meal with their moreish egg rolls, including options such as Ham Cheese ($5) and Hashbrown Bacon ($6). A perfect spot for Chinatown food in the morning!
Read our 1030 Breakfast Shop feature.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-215, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 7:30am to 2pm
Tel: 8797 1030
Website
1030 Breakfast Shop is not halal-certified.
If you’re craving a solid Chinese hotpot without the steep prices at Hai Di Lao, Chuan Yang Ji is another established hotpot chain to try. Their specialty is the Lamb Collagen Soup Base ($17.50++), a milky, comforting broth slow-simmered with fish and sheep bones. For a spicy alternative, go for the Spicy Lamb Spine Soup Base ($37++).
Address: 211 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058760
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Website
Chuan Yang Ji is not halal-certified.
For a quick bite in Chinatown, visit Xiang Xiang Cooked Food, which sells affordable old-school snacks that are made fresh daily. Their popular Fried Sweet Potato Ball ($1 for five) sells out pretty quickly, so you need to visit early if you wish to get a taste of it. Each ball features a crispy golden exterior and a mochi-like interior with a hint of sweetness from the sweet potatoes. Another classic snack is the Ondeh Ondeh ($2 for four), which has the iconic gooey gula melaka interior.
Read our Xiang Xiang Cooked Food feature.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-68, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6:30am to 11am, Sat 6:30am to 9:30am
Xiang Xiang Cooked Food is not halal-certified.
Loh mei, AKA loh kai yik, is a rare Cantonese dish that’s difficult to find in the Singapore hawker scene. In fact, there is only one stall left that offers the dish: Loh Mei Specialist at People’s Park Food Centre. As per tradition, the Loh Mei (from $5) here makes extensive use of red fermented beancurd into a rich braise, where meat, tofu, vegetables and more are infused with those strong flavours. What results is a distinct blend of sweet and salty notes. We heard that the uncle who owns this stall has yet to find a successor, so go try out this unique dish while you still can!
Check out our Loh Mei Specialist feature.
Address: 32 New Market Road, #01-1106A, People’s Park Food Centre Singapore 050032
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 12pm to 8pm
Tel: 9072 5972
Website
Loh Mei is not halal-certified.
Beyond the bustling hawker centres, there’s also a wide array of restaurants offering diverse food options and dining experiences in Chinatown.
Tucked away in the corner of Pearl’s Hill Terrace is Lavi Taco, a vibey Mexican restaurant with an al fresco dining area. During our visit, we tried the Signature Beef Quesabirria ($24), starring two pieces of quesabirria and a dipping sauce. Each tortilla shell was loaded with slow-cooked beef brisket and oxtail in a spicy broth, beautifully layered with melted cheese! Seafood lovers can opt for the Butter Prawn ($23), which comes with flame-grilled butter prawns, Thai mango salad, chipotle mayonnaise, red cabbage and more.
Read our Lavi Taco review.
Address: 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #01-54, Singapore 168976
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Website
Lavi Taco is not halal-certified.
For affordable and legit Thai cuisine, head over to Kin Leaw Chill Bistro. It’s helmed by a native Thai chef, so you know the food here is the real deal.
You’ll find the classic Thai food options here, including Stir-fried Basil with Rice (from $12.90++), Tom Yum Seafood with Fried Rice ($18++), Pineapple Fried Rice with Prawn ($18++) and more. For sides, you can share a Thai Omelette (from $12++), which can be served plain or with a variety of toppings such as omelette and crab meat.
Address: 26 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088449
Opening hours: Mon 11:30am to 10pm, Tue-Sun 11:30am to 11pm
Tel: 8112 1329
Website
Kin Leaw Chill is not halal-certified.
Yum Cha’s value-for-money Weekday High Tea Buffet ($32.80++), where you can try over 50 types of dim sum dishes, is probably what put it on our list of best dim sum places in Singapore. You can expect classics such as Traditional Ma Lai Gao, Xiao Long Bao, Baked Mini Egg Tarts and many more. A little more to the special side would be their Truffle Mushroom Bao and Chilled Mini Octopus with Sesame. Don’t forget to try their Home-made Almond Tea too!
Read our Yum Cha review.
Address: 20 Trengganu Street, #02-01, Singapore 058479
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10:30am to 9pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 9pm
Tel: 6372 1717
Website
Yum Cha is not halal-certified.
An authentic pho spot near the MRT is May Pho Culture, run by a Vietnamese native from Ho Chi Minh. Their Tenderloin Pho ($15.90) is a must-try; this hearty noodle dish comes with a savoury, well-balanced broth and perfectly cooked beef strips. If you’re still peckish, snack on the Fresh Spring Rolls ($9.90): hand-rolled spring rolls stuffed with a meaty filling, and deep-fried to crispy perfection. There’s also the popular Vietnam Special Brew Coffee ($3.80), perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Read our May Pho culture review.
Address: 150 South Bridge Road, #01-16, Fook Hai Building, Singapore 058727
Opening hours: Daily 9:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 9646 2589
Website
May Pho Culture is not halal-certified.
There’s nothing like digging into a hearty bowl of bak kut teh to warm the soul. If you’re a big BKT fan, En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh is a must-try, offering a unique Japanese touch to the local dish! The BKT here is also heavily influenced by the ones you can get in Malaysia, which are more herbaceous rather than peppery.
Their Signature 4 Types Assorted Meats Claypot Bak Kut Teh (from $12.90+) features all the good stuff: pork trotter, pork ribs, pork belly, Hokkaido pork collar, shiitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, tofu puffs, and fried beancurd. FYI, there’s more than 15 herbs and spices in the mix so you can expect a broth that’s bursting with strong, savoury flavours.
Read our En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh review.
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #01-44, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6444 0889
Website
En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh is not halal-certified.
For other Vietnamese food recommendations in Chinatown, check out Long Phung Vietnamese Cuisine. Regulars love their Bun Thit Nuong ($11.50), AKA grilled pork with rice noodles and fresh veggies, complete with a refreshing sauce. They’ve also got plenty more options for a complete feast, including deep-fried Spring Rolls ($11.50), pho, and Milk Coffee with Ice ($5), a must-have at any Vietnamese restaurant.
Read our Long Phung review.
Address: 239/241 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059439
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 10pm
Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant is not halal-certified.
JIHO is a well-established name in Korea’s samgyetang scene, and has opened its first Singapore outpost at 18 Cross in Chinatown. The Korea-famous chain has brought its range of six signature ginseng chicken soups to Singapore, where you can choose from Healthy ($29.90++), Spicy ($32.80++), Beauty ($29.80++), Mung Bean ($32.80++), Black Garlic ($32.80++), and Perilla ($32.80++). Out of the ones we tried, the Perilla Samgyetang was our favourite! You’ll also find a selection of classic Korean side dishes here, such as the Fried Chicken Gizzard ($19.80++) and the Squid & Minari Salad ($29.80++).
Read our JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang review.
Address: 18 Cross Street, #B1-01, 18 Cross, Singapore 048423
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 8242 6988
Website
JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang SBCD is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
Cafe hoppers, make sure to include this list of Chinatown cafes in your next brunch plans with friends.
Creamie Sippies is a familiar name to matcha lovers, and the popular cafe probably needs no introduction. Its outlet at Keong Saik Road is special, as it houses Singapore’s first matcha mill imported from Japan. During our visit, we tried the Earl Grey Matcha Cloud ($9.90), a concoction of Earl Grey latte and thick, creamy matcha foam. This one’s relatively intense, so only get it if you like strong tea-infused drinks. There’s also the Banana Pudding Matcha Latte ($9.90), a popular pick for a balance between earthy and sweet flavours.
Read our Creamie Sippies feature.
Address: 31 Keong Saik Road, #01-01, Singapore 089138
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 8:30pm
Website
Creamie Sippies is not halal-certified.
Rise Bakehouse’s newest outlet, housed in a conserved shophouse along Chinatown at South Bridge Road, is easily their prettiest yet with its heritage-inspired decor and locally inspired menu. No visit to Rise Bakehouse is complete without trying their cakes, ranging from the fragrant Kaya Pistachio Cake ($9.20+) to the popular Osmanthus Oolong Cake ($8.50+). Their menu also includes an eclectic selection of cafe fare, with pasta dishes such as the Soft Shell Chilli Crab Rigatoni ($23.90+) to the Gula Melaka Mochi Waffles ($17.90+) for dessert.
Read our Rise Bakehouse review.
Address: 273 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058822
Opening hours: Sun-Mon, Wed-Thurs 11:30am to 8:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 8928 9111
Website
Rise Bakehouse is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
If you’re game for Chinese desserts, check out Yuen Yeung, a popular dessert cafe in Chinatown. They specialise in both modern and traditional Chinese desserts, so you truly get the best of both worlds here.
For something that leans a little bit more traditional, there’s the Mango Sago Pomelo Shaved Ice ($12.60+), a mix of milky and refreshing flavours. But if you want to switch things up, go for bowls such as their Pink Guava Milk Snow ($13.60+) or Matcha Red Bean Glutinous Rice Milk Ice ($11.60+). The former consists of a decadent pistachio cream topped with salted pistachio bits, while the latter is a dessert of matcha ice cream, a creamy paste, and brown sugar pearls!
Read our Yuen Yueng review.
Address: 43 Neil Road, Singapore 088825
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10:30pm
Website
Yuen Yeung is not halal-certified.
Another must-try spot for Chinese desserts is Mei Heong Yuen, recognised as one of the “Singapore Chinatown Heritage Brands” by the Chinatown Business Association. The menu here is straightforward—you’ll find classics such as the Almond Black Glutinous Rice ($4.50) and Bubur Cha Cha ($4), among others.
Our favourite pick here would be the Mango Roll ($5), with thick mango slices wrapped in silky coconut meat. It was simple yet addictive, with au naturale mango flavours that really shone through.
Read our Mei Heong Yuen Dessert review.
Address: 63-67 Temple Street, #63-67, Singapore 058611
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6221 1156
Website
Mei Heong Yuen Dessert is not halal-certified.
Offering something a little more elevated than what you can get at your usual cafes, Burnt Ends Bakery takes pride in their wood-fired bread ovens and house-blended coffee beans. They opened a cafe at the Audi House of Progress as part of a partnership with car manufacturer Audi.
In case you haven’t paid a visit to their first outlet in Dempsey, here’s what you can expect from the bakery. For starters, their doughnuts that are highly raved, come in flavours such as Pistachio ($6), Yuzu ($6), and Nutella ($6). There are also more substantial options, such as the Roast Beef Sandwich ($18), which features a hefty chunk of beef brisket, cheese, and greens.
Read our Burnt Ends Bakery x Audi feature.
Address: 18 Cross Street, #01-20, Singapore 048423
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 4pm
Website
Burnt Ends Bakery is not halal-certified.
In case you didn’t know, Cafe Monochrome is Singapore’s first 2D concept cafe offering an extensive range of items, including pasta, pizza, all-day brunch, and coffee. We really enjoyed their Laksa Pasta ($25.30+), featuring a plate of spaghetti doused in a mildly spicy house-made chilli sauce. The sauce is also really creamy as it’s mixed with egg. Alternatively, try the Creamy Chicken Burger ($22+), featuring a tonkatsu cutlet and scrambled eggs between brioche. You also get a side of salad to cut through any heavy flavours.
Read our Cafe Monochrome feature.
Address: 25 Trengganu Street, #01-12, Chinatown Point, Singapore 058476
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 8:30pm
Website
Cafe Monochrome is not halal-certified.
If you are a huge egg tart lover, you’ve likely come across this popular Chinatown food recommendation: the famous Coconut Egg Tart, priced at $2.60 per piece. There’s also the unique Charcoal Egg Tart ($3.20) for something different! What sets their egg tarts apart from the others is the use of pork lard, which makes the crust extra flaky. The custard is delicate and wobbly, and it almost collapses out of the diamond-shaped flaky crust once you bite into the tart.
Read our Tong Heng feature.
Address: 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 7pm
Tel: 6223 0398
Website
Tong Heng Traditional Chinese Pastries is not halal-certified.
Besides Clarke Quay, Chinatown is another stop along the NEL that offers awesome food. Now you know where to get the best Chinatown food for your CBD food fix!
For more food places within Chinatown, check out our Chinatown Complex food guide. If you’re in the area, read our Maxwell Food Centre guide for the best hawker stalls in the popular food centre.
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